Cardinal: No Communion for Pro-Abortion Catholics

During a press conference on Friday, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, reiterated that pro-abortion Catholics cannot receive Communion.

When asked by a journalist whether priests should refuse communion to a politician who is unambiguously pro-abortion, he replied, “Yes. If the person should not receive it, then it should not be given. Objectively, the answer is there."

The Cardinal was earlier asked a question concerning the eligibility of Senator John F. Kerry, a supporter of abortion rights, to receive Communion, which he refused to answer directly, allowing only that "the norm of the Church is clear.”

“The church exists in the United States,” he added, “there are bishops there, let them interpret it."

The questions came at the end of the press conference, which was held to present the document “Redemptionis Sacramentum: On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist.” The text was drafted by Cardinal Arinze’s congregation in order to provide instruction to the Catholic faithful on the correct manner of Eucharistic celebration.